CLINICIANS at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust are sharing important advice and guidance on how to help prevent a fall at home.

Ann Mann, falls prevention lead at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, has seen first-hand how the effects of a fall can be long lived and detrimental to a person’s health and quality of life.

Once a person has had a fall, the chance of falling again increases. Ann works with patients in Somerset to try to prevent a fall and is encouraging friends and family to think of how they can help frail neighbours, friends and loved one.

She advises: “One of the first things to ask after a fall, is whether the person’s pain is under control. If it’s not, it can really affect movement, for example if it hurts to walk a person may they find themselves shuffling instead and trip.

“Many families want to know why a fall has happened and there are a variety of factors which could contribute, such as eyesight, balance, medical conditions and if you have a history of falls.

“But there are also things we can control, such as making sure the environment is as easy to navigate as possible. Check the floor isn’t uneven with rugs, and whether a night light could help avoid tripping in the dark.

“Footwear is also important. Shoes and slippers that fit well and are in good condition can help provide grip and stability, especially if you need to stay in an unfamiliar environment like in hospital.”

Despite popular belief, falls are not an expected consequence of getting older, they can be an indicator of worsening frailty. As falls are one of the leading causes of emergency hospital admissions for older people, more focus within the NHS is being directed towards proactive, preventative care.